Perko 493...what's better?

[malyea]

Need to replace two 30 year old Perko 493 raw water strainers (#5 for AC and #6 for engine - Yanmar 4JH4-TE).

Is there a better brand/model of water strainer I should consider or just stick with new Perko 493s?

Thanks

[Scott Berg]

Perko and Groco are both great; both American made of good bronze; can't miss with either

[malyea]

Thanks

[HopCar]

Why are you going to replace them? Did electrolysis get them?

The Perko 493 strainers should last the life of the boat. Their only weakness is the cover lugs. You can break them if you over tighten the wing nuts. Don't over tighten the wing nuts and carry a set of spare lugs. New gaskets every few years reduces the urge to over tighten the nuts.

Parts are readily available and it's an excellent strainer.

[malyea]

Wing nut corroded and broke. Tie rod corroded and threaded end broke off in base plate. Replacing the entire water strainer cause the parts are as expensive as a new unit.

[redsky49]

You are right about replacement part prices. It makes more sense to buy new, probably with a different brand.
Can't understand how some manufacturers expect to be successful by taking advantage of current customers. Strange.

[malyea]

So, anybody prefer Perko over Groco or vice versa.... if so, why?

[redsky49]

I have two perkos aboard and one groco. The groco is less fiddly. Both good quality.
The groco has a cap that you remove by leveling a screwdriver across the cap or with a dedicated pin wrench. The perko has wing nuts. Maybe personal preference.

I will say that I have to replace the strainer of one of the perkos and the cost is 60.00 dollars U.S. . Highway robbery in my mind.

[malyea]

Fidly?

[redsky49]

This is a Groco, installed in 2005. You can see the top cover has bosses for a pin wrench, or you can use a screwdriver across the top to lever the top loose, if it is more than hand tight.

Very simple design.

[redsky49]

Here is the Perko. This unit is about 25 years old. It was rebuilt about two years ago, and needs to have the strainer and bowl cleaned.

There are too many little bits on this, including the wing nuts. Just not my preference.

This is the one that requires a $60.00 replacement strainer basket!

[malyea]

So Groco vs Perko, similar just different, both good - comes down to a coin toss? Strainer baskets cheaper to replace on Groco?

[redsky49]

If any of the moderators can rotate the pic in the post #10 above, please do so. Thanks.

[HopCar]

Since you've decided to replace them, I would go with the Groco ARG series.

The molded plastic body eliminates the bottom gasket and side tie rods. The screw in cap eliminates the cover lugs and wing nuts.

The one thing I don't like about the Groco is the mounting bracket. I'd prefer to screw the strainer directly to a bulkhead but a lot of people like the bracket.
The reason I don't like it is that it requires you to mount two parts and it uses a tiewrap to hold the strainer in the lower bracket.

I would also suggest you go with the plastic strainer basket. It will outlast the stainless basket by a long shot and is cheaper than the monel basket. The hole size is a little larger in the plastic basket but I've never heard of anyone having a problem because of that.

[malyea]

Thanks